dot65's photostream

Memphis Zoo has two Panda Bears....one male & one female.
The male wanted nothing to do with getting his photo taken. Oh, he'd do tricks and what-not buy wouldn't sit still for a second.
The female, on the other hand, saw my camera set up on the tripod and decided she wanted to do some modeling. Worked for me.

(In order to get a good-quality print for our annual County Fair, I had to make the shot a little dark.....just in case you were wondering.)

So this is how we were greeted as we arrived at our destination to our yearly trip in Hot Springs, AR.
Of course the downpour didn't start until we had found a parking spot and had started walking down Central Ave to do some sight-seeing after unpacking at the hotel.
Murphy's Law.

My favorite spot in Hot Springs. I believe I could sit here all day watching the steam and water and be perfectly content.
Fortunately for me, the dreariness of the weather worked to my advantage in showing clearly just how steamy the thermal springs are.
And yes, I did stick my finger in the water. As always, it was pretty darn hot.

This is part of what's considered the "Formal" entrance to the Grand Promenade/Park located mid-way along the 1/2 mile bricked walkway overlooking Bath House Row.

"Promenades figured prominently in the spa scene. In the 19th century, the huge hotels in the city had spacious grounds where walkways provided opportunities to show off peacock finery. People flaunted St. Louis fashions in front of the bathouses and at the fountains."

Back in it's day, above the (50 million) steps going up, was lush, tiered flower beds and a pavillion located up on the hill towing over the entrance. Above the steps now is just remnants of the past and the tiered flower beds along with the pavillion no longer exist.
I, personally, wonder how they ever made it up all those stairs in their "finery" without breaking a leg or dropping from the heat.

Along the bricked walkway called the "Grand Promenade" that overlooks Bath House Row, I found these chess/checkerboard tables scattered here and there along my walk.
Anyone up for the challenge??